Executive Members & Guest Conductor

Guest Conductor for 2018-19- Ken MacKay

A native of Truro NS, Ken first started teaching in the Public School system in 1976 and has been active as an Educator, Clinician, Adjudicator and Soloist throughout his career. After attending Humber College in Toronto, Ken continued teaching at the Cobequid Educational Center in Truro. In 1980 his Jazz Band came first in the High School Jazz band Category at Musicfest Canada. From there Ken began teaching in the Elementary/Junior High schools, his real passion. Ken is Past-President and currently Vice President of the Atlantic Federation of Musicians and is on the board of NS Honour Jazz .Ken retired last year from Astral Drive Junior High where he was Director of Bands for over 20 years. He is currently a Band and Woodwinds Clinician/Mentor for the Dartmouth/Halifax All City Music Program.

Ken’s list of his professional credits is impressive. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Lionel Ritchie, Regis Philbin, Natalie Cole, jazz great Ernie Watts, Mary Wilson (The Supremes),Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd, daughter of the blues Shirley King, blues guitarist Robben Ford, Rosemary Clooney and the Temptations are just a few of the artists Ken has shared the stage with. Locally he performs and has recorded with Scott n’ the Rocks, The Swell Guys, The Back Alley Big Band, Asia NuGruv, Terry Hatty and The Aviators. Ken’s ability to play a variety of musical styles has established him as one of the most exciting and sought after sax players in Eastern Canada.

Our 2019-20 Guest Conductor will be announced soon!

Executive Director- Katelyn Gillis- katelyn@nsjwe.ca

Katelyn graduated from Acadia University with a Bachelor of Music (2009) and from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Music Education (2011). While at Acadia Katelyn studied violin under the direction of Christopher Wilkinson and Christoph Booth and was one of the founders of the Horton High School String Ensemble. Recently accepted into the Halifax Regional School Board, Katelyn also teaches privately, is a member of the Sackville Community Band, a conductor of the Sackville 9am Band, as well as has performed in a variety of orchestra’s, concert and jazz bands. In her spare time she enjoys the theatre, has worked on THE RENT PROJECT, and is cast to work with the Cole Harbour High School production of West Side Story in 2013. Katelyn currently teaches violin and orchestra with the Dartmouth All-City Music Centre and privately at Long and McQuade. Katelyn is thrilled to be working with such a wonderful group of teachers, students, and volunteers at the NSJWE.

Treasurer- Danielle Chute- Danielle@nsjwe.ca

Danielle Dove graduated from Acadia University with both a Bachelor’s of Music (2008) and a Bachelor’s of Education (2010). During her six years at Acadia Danielle studied classical saxophone with Dr. Stan Fisher. She has performed with numerous Acadia ensembles such as the AUWE Wind Ensemble, who attended the CBDNA conference in Pennsylvania in 2009, and the Acadia Saxophone Quartet and continues to perform regularly with such ensembles. Danielle is currently a substitute music teacher for the Halifax Regional School Board, a private instructor and co-director of the Sackville 9:00am Band as well as a performing member of the Sackville Community Band. Danielle also spends her time volunteering with various organizations such as the NSJWE.

Librarian- Holly Hartlen

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Equipment Manager-Maya Taraschi

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Social Media Coordinator- Andre Gaudet

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We are sad to see Lucille Humble and Jennie McKibbon leave the NSJWE board and wish them luck in all their new endeavours!